Following a protracted and valiant struggle with sickness, Sofia Ardalan passed away peacefully on November 23, 2025, leaving the House of Hope Presbyterian Church congregation in St. Paul devastated. Sofia departed us at home at the age of 46, surrounded by the family she cherished and the music that brought her joy.
For almost twenty years, Sofia oversaw the church’s well-known choir school, molding hundreds of young voices and hearts with her kind disposition, unending tolerance, and contagious passion for holy music.
Under her direction, the choir developed into one of the most reputable children programs in the Twin Cities, renowned for its warmth, accuracy, and Sofia’s ability to make each kid feel like a star.
She had a gift for turning nervous first-time singers into confident performers, always with a smile and a quiet word of encouragement. Parents remember her kneeling to eye level with a shy 6-year-old, telling them, “Your voice is a gift from God—let’s help the world hear it.” That simple kindness became her hallmark.
Beyond the choir loft, Sofia poured her heart into the wider House of Hope family—organizing hymn sings, planning Christmas pageants, and making sure no child ever felt left out. Her laugh echoed through the hallways, and her hugs were legendary. Even during her illness, she continued planning the next season’s music, insisting that “the kids need beauty more than ever right now.”
Sofia is survived by her devoted husband, her children who sang under her direction since they could talk, her parents, siblings, and an entire congregation that became her extended family. House of Hope has lost its brightest light, but her music will ring through those sanctuary rafters for generations to come.
A celebration of Sofia’s life filled with the songs she loved will be held at House of Hope Presbyterian Church in the coming weeks. Until then, the community sings a little softer, holds its children a little closer, and thanks God for the extraordinary gift of Sofia Ardalan. Rest in harmony, dear friend. The choir of angels just got its finest director.